Secret Garden Tour of Fourth Ward

The weather was amazing, the homes oh so enchanting, and the gardens were sublime.

First stop for libations

We picked up our tickets at 9th and Poplar by way of horse drawn carriage and proceeded to our first stop: libations of Skyy Vodka and lovely sweet and sour mixer, cold and refreshing to sip as we walked down to our first garden. On the way we ran into Chandler (a local Charlotte actor), her husband Taylor and friends.

Chandler, Taylor and friends

Lee Garden, deck and patio

First garden: The Lee Garden, beautiful fresh and well thought out for design and color. And of course the Dittloff Garden. Both of these homes are located on 9th Street. 

Garden at the Poplar St. Condos

And really one of my favorites, the Poplar Condominiums on 10th Street bringing back memories of my childhood when I would roller skate the sidewalks and through the covered entrance. 

 I remember how glamorous the apartments were and the movies were the only place you saw buildings like this. The architecture is perfectly preserved including the original entrance doors, the windows unique at that time to Charlotte and the structure itself is all original, built to last. 

Door at the Poplar St. condos

On to 10th Street Courtyard Park surrounded by well designed condos to compliment the old trees and streets built in the 1980s when the city of Charlotte was restoring Fourth Ward. 

More libations at the Garden condos

 More libations, lovely champagne and lovely people having fun with lots to talk about. 

Really enjoyed the Knott-Schooler Garden as we were invited to walk through the home and view the exquisite rooms with the old preserved to its original beauty.

On the porch, where business decisions were mads

 Lovely porch and courtyard garden where most important business decisions were made back in the day.

My favorite porch

 At the Timmins garden and lovely front porch we sat and relaxed and did some serious people watching. 

My pick for Best Garden:  the Causby-Cernohorsky Garden

But truly I have to say the Causby-Cernohorsky Garden with its sloping waterfall and Koi pond is breathtaking. 

Koi pond

 The front landscaping and the garden down the side of the home as you leave the back garden is something to see. I was so glad that they were among the gracious homeowners to share their private space with us. 

Beautiful Fourth Ward Park

By the time we reached Fourth Ward Park we sat again in the shade and watched the people on the tour strolling in and out of the park. 

The Wood Vine

Then on to the Wood Vine Wine Bar up on North Tryon, part of the tour for a delightful glass of wine and a tapas of citrus infused cheese with a splendid sauce, a perfect pairing with the Cabernet we were served. 

Great cabernet

We also stopped in the Asbury restaurant located in the Dunhill Hotel and had a dressed up egg they serve as an appetizer, a yummy deviled egg, really different. The Dunhill is another favorite Center City spot beautifully preserved and so very romantic. 

Bar at the Asbury in the Dunhill Hotel

3 Church hosted the kickoff party, so sorry we missed it, Rock Bottom was serving Mimosas and Bloody Marys. After stopping by Alexander Michaels for a visit with friends, we hopped a carriage ride to the 7th Street Market, our favorite community gathering place, and called it a day. What a wonderful way to spend the day. There is something about nostalgia that touches my soul and leaves me with deep appreciation. 

A free carriage ride adds to the fun. 

To find out more www.fofw.org 

Shepperd house, built in 1898, at 601 Poplar. Not on the tour while it undergoes a two year renovation but look for it next year.

Additions are improving on perfection.

Van Gogh Alive at Discovery Place

If you missed this exhibit at Discovery Place in Charlotte NC last month you will want to make it a point to see it wherever and whenever you can in the future.

To see the life and paintings of this extraordinary artist up close and personal in the way it was presented at Discovery Place was visually captivating and stirred emotions not usually touched on.

Vincent Van Gogh was a complex human being troubled by his demons and exhilarated by his God-given talent to express himself on canvas to share with the world. God’s Grace touches us all but some are blessed above and beyond human understanding, this is Vincent Van Gogh.

We joined the exhibit on the last day with several hundred others in the course of a few hours to experience what modern day technology can display to the viewing eyes of all who were there. For us it was like standing in the midst of the landscapes he painted, being on the pages of his notes and sketches, almost reaching out and touching his shoulder when his self portraits call to you for compassion. Most of the time the music (sublime) paired with the enormous size of the paintings was so emotional that when quiet came you could hear a pin drop.

Truly a one of a kind experience. For more info, visit discoveryplace.org.

Rockin' & Racin' Exhibit Opens at the NASCAR Hall of Fame June 24

Rockin' & Racin' Exhibit Brings Good Vibrations to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Special exhibit highlighting five decades of music and NASCAR opens June 24 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 19, 2014) – Visitors to the NASCAR Hall of Fame are invited to join a jam session like no other at the new Rockin' & Racin' exhibit, opening to the public on Tuesday, June 24. Located in the Great Hall, the electrifying exhibit explores the good vibrations that have complemented NASCAR over the last five decades. From rock stars to country crooners to rappers, the sport has welcomed all genres of music to rally around the action on the track. Musical roots run deep in the sport. From musicians who have used NASCAR sponsorships to promote their records to artists such as Blake Sheton and Kid Rock performing at NASCAR events to NASCAR's influence on chart-topping hits, the worlds of NASCAR and music have formed a special bond over the years. And NASCAR's biggest stars have even found their way into the music scene as performers, music video stars, or by collecting music-themed trophies and memorabilia. "Rockin' & Racin' allows us to share our sport's history through a unique lens that's appealing to both NASCAR fans and music lovers," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "It highlights the deep connection between the two industries and how they have profoundly influenced each other over the years in ways that many may not realize." The exhibit explores four primary areas of interest including "Racers Who Rock," "Rockers Who Race," "Rocking the Track" and "NASCAR in Song." Carefully curated with the help of music industry influencers like Scott Borchetta and Mike Curb as well as music artist Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down among others, the exhibit features more than 40 artifacts that truly rock. Among them are trophies, guitars, records, driver uniforms, helmets and more as well as seven music-related vehicles, the largest number ever on display in the Great Hall, which include the following: 1936 moonshine-hauling Ford Sedan from Brantley Gilbert's "Bottom's Up" video 1959 Chevrolet Corvette featured in Brad Paisley's "Old Alabama" music video 1964 Late Model Plymouth race car driven by country music star Marty Robbins 1980 Dale Earnhardt No. 2 Chevrolet sponsored by record executive Mike Curb 2005 NASCAR Weekly Super Truck driven by record executive Scott Borchetta  2011 Camaro featured in Rascal Flatts' "Red Camaro" music video 2012 Juan Pablo Montoya No. 42 Chevrolet sponsored by Taylor Swift In addition, the exhibit features a digital jukebox with NASCAR-themed music and other unique artifacts like Ron Hornaday Jr.'s KISS-themed driver uniform, Rusty Wallace's Goo Goo Dolls helmet, trophies adorned with Elvis, and Sam Bass-designed trophy guitars. The Rockin' & Racin' exhibit will be on display through the end of the year. General admission tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling (877) 231-2010 or at nascarhall.com. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships are available starting at $125. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more details, visit nascarhall.com. Updates are available at facebook.com/nascarhall or by following @NASCARHall on Twitter. About the NASCAR Hall of Fame Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. nascarhall.com ###

  

Priority Sale: Three exciting shows just added!

You have priority access to three new events! Click below to purchase or call 704-372-1000 and mention "Email Club Priority." Hurry! Public sales begin Friday.
Keb' Mo'
September 17 • Knight Theater	Three-time Grammy winner and visionary roots-music storyteller Keb' Mo' embarked on a new chapter in his career with the April 22 release of "BLUESAmericana."
VIP Dinner Experience is available for Keb' Mo'! Receive premium seating and dinner* (per ticket) to Chima Brazilian Steakhouse! Simply click the buy link above and select "VIP Dinner Experience" seats. We'll even make your reservation for you and have your theater tickets waiting at Chima!
*Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Valid for Chima's rodizio dinner (unlimited salad bar, appetizers, sides and meat service). Reservations between 5:30 and 6:00 pm, based on first available.
Steve Solomon: Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt
October 21-26 • Booth Playhouse	Steve Solomon is the author and star of the three time award-winning, critically-acclaimed show: "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm in Therapy"—we now bring you: "CANNOLI, LATKES & GUILT...the therapy continues."
Dave Mason's Traffic Jam
November 14 • McGlohon Theater	Join Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder of the legendary band Traffic, Dave Mason, for an evening of music history as he retraces the earliest days of his career with Traffic and the works that launched his successful solo career.

PASS IT ON: Blumenthalarts.org and CarolinaTix.org are the OFFICIAL TICKETING PROVIDERS for BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS. Tickets purchased from other sources may be 1) more expensive, 2) invalid and 3) ineligible for assistance. Blumenthal Performing Arts is not responsible for tickets purchased from other sources.

Blumenthal Performing Arts 130 N. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 Box Office: 704.372.1000

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Taste of the Nation benefits Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry

“No Kid Hungry” is the very appropriate slogan for this eating and drinking event to remind us how blessed and fortunate we are to have the opportunity to enjoy the very best food and drink from the most wonderful restaurants and food venues in the city of Charlotte. When we think of how fortunate we really are it makes us humble and we really want to do more.

Lots to sample

The attendance this year was much larger than last and the auctions, silent and live were more successful. The impact is real with the opportunity to do more. The Taste of the Nation is the nation’s premier culinary event to make sure no child grows up hungry, made possible through the support of national sponsors Sysco Systems, American Express and the Food Network. Along with select market sponsors, the events held across the country are delivering hope to millions of children who face hunger in the United States.

Friends of Dilworth Now News

Along with friends and associates, Dilworth Now News started at one end and ate and drank our way to the other. Enjoyed first class entertainment with Ziad on saxophone – a real treat we did not expect – and watched Ernest Perry, auctioneer of Perry’s Fine Antique & Estate Jewelry present the live auction which I found fascinating.




Great entertainment

We enjoyed the VIP Lounge, located away from the mainstream and tried all the martinis. My favorite was the Three Olives “Elvis.”

VIP martini bar

My Favorite spot

There were comfy leather couches and chairs to lounge and relax and be served trays of exotic nibbles and shelves of oh, so many different chocolates and small desserts making you wish you could taste them all.

Hanging out in the VIP lounge

Assorted chocolate desserts in the VIP Lounge

Charlotteans are really the most generous folks I know not only with support for a wonderful cause but personally, always willing to share their thoughts with us and pose for photos for the blog.





Best coffee of the night


I have to say all the food served was amazing and the spirits being served were perfect.



Stefan at work


Stefan Huebner, Taste of the Nations mixologist, was there again this year mixing his original cocktails, still the best. You can enjoy them anytime at Heist Brewery where Stefan is a regular bartender.



Duck comfit with pickled cherries

One of my favorite tastes was the duck comfit with pickled cherries on frisse lettuce served by Johnson and Wales University.




Saffron Indian Cuisine

Saffron Indian Cuisine served wonderful curried chicken over rice. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse served beef kabobs.




Uptown Bar and Kitchen prepared a whole pig

The Upstream had those wonderful scallops again this year.




Friendly folks from Wolfgang Puck

All together there were 21 restaurants and food venues represented. The generosity and givingness of everyone, sponsors, volunteers and guests—take a bow you all were amazing.

Here are some pictures of the delicious food and wonderful presentations that we enjoyed at Taste of the Nation, taken by friend of Dilworth Now News, Graham Froggett.